How to Change/Update Domain Nameservers

Modifying your domain nameservers is a crucial step when transitioning to a new hosting provider or redirecting your domain to a different server. Nameservers function as the internet’s directory, guiding traffic to the server hosting your website. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough on updating nameservers, including specific instructions for telaHosting (with our designated nameservers for cPanel and DirectAdmin) and widely used registrars such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains. Additionally, we’ll share practical tips to minimize downtime and facilitate a smooth domain propagation processes to reduce issues.

Step-by-Step Process for Updating Nameservers

Here’s a standard procedure to follow when updating your domain nameservers:

1. Identify Your New Nameservers: Your hosting provider will supply the appropriate nameservers. For instance, telaHosting offers ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for cPanel hosting, or da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com for DirectAdmin hosting. These can typically be found in your welcome email once you have purchased any hosting plan with us.
2. Access Your Domain Registrar Account: Log in to the platform where your domain is registered, such as telaHosting, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
3. Locate the Nameserver Configuration: Navigate to a section labeled “DNS Management,” “Nameservers,” or “Domain Settings” within your registrar’s dashboard.
4. Input the New Nameservers: Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by your hosting provider (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for telaHosting cPanel hosting).
5. Save and Await DNS Propagation: DNS updates may take between 24 and 48 hours to propagate fully. During this time, some users might still see the old site while others access the new one.
6. Confirm the Update: After a few hours, use tools like whois.domaintools.com or the nslookup command to verify that the nameservers have been updated.

Key Precautions Before Making Changes

• Preserve DNS Records: If your current nameservers handle DNS entries (such as MX records for email or subdomains), document them beforehand. You may need to replicate these records after the update.
• Reduce Downtime Risks: Propagation delays can lead to temporary inconsistencies. To mitigate this, perform updates during periods of low website traffic.
• Safeguard Email Functionality: If your domain supports email services (e.g., via Google Workspace), configure the MX records with your new provider prior to updating nameservers to prevent interruptions.

Updating Nameservers with telaHosting

telaHosting provides specific nameservers based on your hosting panel:

• For cPanel hosting: Use ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com.
• For DirectAdmin hosting: Use da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com.

If your domain is registered with telaHosting, follow these steps to update your nameservers:

1. Retrieve telaHosting Nameservers: Log in to your telaHosting account and check your hosting details. Use ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for cPanel hosting, or da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com for DirectAdmin hosting. If uncertain, reach out to our support team.
2. Navigate to Your Domain Dashboard: Sign in to your telaHosting account and go to the “Domains” or “Domain Management” area.
3. Locate Nameserver Settings: Find the “Manage Nameservers” option in your domain’s settings or select the specific domain and click on “Change the nameservers your domain points to.”
   
4. Enter the New Nameservers: Update the existing nameservers with the ones corresponding to your hosting type (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for cPanel).
   
5. Apply Changes: Click “Change Nameservers” to save your updates.
6. Monitor Propagation: DNS updates generally propagate within 24 to 48 hours. Refer to telaHosting’s documentation for estimated timelines.

Updating Nameservers with Other Popular Registrars

If your domain is registered with a provider other than telaHosting, the process shares similarities but differs in execution. Below are instructions for some common registrars:

GoDaddy

1. Log in to your GoDaddy account and visit the “My Products” section.
2. Locate your domain under “Domains” and click “Manage.”
3. Go to “Additional Settings” and choose “Manage DNS.”
4. Find the “Nameservers” section and click “Change.”
5. Select “Custom” and input the new nameservers (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for telaHosting cPanel hosting).
6. Click “Save” and allow 24 to 48 hours for propagation.

Namecheap

1. Sign in to your Namecheap account and go to the “Domain List.”
2. Click “Manage” beside your domain.
3. In the “Nameservers” section, select “Custom DNS.”
4. Enter the new nameservers (e.g., da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com for telaHosting DirectAdmin hosting) and save your changes.
5. Propagation typically takes 24 to 48 hours, though Namecheap often processes updates more quickly.

Google Domains

1. Log in to Google Domains (domains.google.com) and select your domain.
2. Navigate to the “DNS” tab.
3. Under “Name servers,” choose “Use custom name servers.”
4. Input the new nameservers (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for telaHosting cPanel hosting) and save.
5. Allow 24 to 48 hours for the changes to propagate.

Cloudflare (Registrar or DNS Service)

1. Access your Cloudflare dashboard and select your domain.
2. If using Cloudflare’s nameservers, they’ll be provided during setup (e.g., ns1.cloudflare.com, ns2.cloudflare.com).
3. If pointing to telaHosting nameservers, update them at your original registrar (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com).

Scenario: Different Providers for Domain and Hosting

If your domain is managed by one provider (e.g., Namecheap) and your hosting by another (e.g., telaHosting), follow these steps:

1. Obtain the nameservers from telaHosting: ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for cPanel, or da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com for DirectAdmin.
2. Log in to your domain registrar (e.g., Namecheap) and update the nameservers as described in the relevant section above.
3. Your registrar will then direct your domain to telaHosting’s servers.

Alternative Approach: Using A Records Instead of Changing Nameservers

If you’d rather not update nameservers, you can point your domain to a new server by modifying the A record:

1. Log in to your registrar’s DNS management interface.
2. Find the “DNS Records” or “Advanced DNS” section.
3. Edit the A record for the root domain (@) and www to the IP address provided by your hosting provider (e.g., telaHosting provides an IP like 192.0.2.1, typically found in your welcome email).
4. Save the changes. This method bypasses nameserver updates but requires manual management of other DNS records.

While suitable for basic setups, this approach can be complex for sites with intricate DNS requirements (e.g., email services or subdomains). Updating nameservers is generally more straightforward.

Resolving Common Issues After Updating Nameservers

Website Fails to Load

• DNS propagation might still be in progress—allow up to 48 hours.
• Clear your browser cache or flush your local DNS (e.g., ipconfig /flushdns on Windows, sudo dscacheutil -flushcache on macOS).
• Double-check that the entered nameservers (e.g., ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com) are correct.

Email Services Disrupted

• If your email was linked to the previous nameservers, reconfigure MX records with your new provider or registrar.
• Contact your email provider (e.g., Google Workspace) for the correct MX records.

Changes Not Visible

• Use a DNS checker tool like dnschecker.org to verify if the nameservers have updated.
• Ensure the changes were saved and that your domain isn’t locked by the registrar.

Wrapping Up

Modifying nameservers is a standard procedure in domain and hosting management, but careful execution is essential to avoid potential issues. With telaHosting, utilize ns1.tela-host.com and ns2.tela-host.com for cPanel hosting, or da1.tela-host.com and da2.tela-host.com for DirectAdmin hosting. For other registrars, the steps are comparable but vary by platform. Always confirm your hosting provider’s nameservers and track propagation using tools like dnschecker.org. If you encounter challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out to your registrar or hosting provider for support. You can also learn the basics on how nameservers work here.